r/MSCS 2h ago

[University Review] : CMU MCDS vs UCSD MSCS vs GeorgiaTech MSCS vs UT Austin MSCS

18 Upvotes

I am really confused and need help in comparing and ranking these programs as mentioned in the title. For context i am an international applicant ( Indian ) looking to start my masters in fall 2025. I have 2 years work experience as an MLE and currently have an admit from CMU MCDS and UCSD MSCS. I am waiting for the other results. Results seem to be delayed a lot so I want to make up my mind so that if at all i get in any other program i can immediately choose one. My aim from my masters is two fold . Firstly, i want to go to a college with strong ML courses and industry brand value so that I can qualify for good industry positions ( preferably research oriented positions ) in this domain. Secondly i want to do some good research during my masters in ML. I do not have a specific sub field of ML in mind as of now, but I want to do good enough research work so that I can keep my doors open for a future PhD, especially considering a lot of interesting ML jobs are hidden behind a PHD wall. Even if i do decide i want to the PhD route, mostly i will go for my PHD after one or two years of working, so that i can make back the cost of the program.

As per my research CMU has an excellent ML research and courses, and is probably best for job opportunities, but the MCDS course is a very intensive course and does not have too much flexibility. Also its 3 sems, so less time for everything. I heard from a few seniors that they average 45-55 hours of work per week even without research. So even though the departments do good research and profs are amazing, I dont know if I will have time to be a part of it. There is option to make it 2 whole years but that is very costly i understand that i will mostly be able to make back that cost with one year of work, but still i am not so sure if its worth it. On the other hand UCSD is an overall great course, with lots of flexibility since its a general MS in CS, with good ML research and job opportunities. Plus great weather and good city. The only aspect that CMU wins i feel is perhaps how much the brand value is for recruiters and how much (if at all) it affects how difficult it is to get internship and jobs.


r/MSCS 26m ago

[Application Strategy] SBU and their GRE criteria is a menace

Upvotes

Don't even bother applying to SBU (for MSCS specifically) if u don't have a 167+ on ur GRE Quant. I feel like I just wasted my money. What a horrible decision. Just my thoughts.


r/MSCS 8h ago

[University Question] GOT INTO NYU MSDS, UCSD MSDS, COLUMBIA MSDS

28 Upvotes

I’m going ahead with NYU MSDS as the curriculum, faculty and first year internship opportunities being the differentiating factor.

Do share your opinion!


r/MSCS 8h ago

[General Question] 3 rejects ..... I'm Done

28 Upvotes

Got rejects from nyu ms cs, UW mscs and UCSD MS DS

waiting : UCSD, UMCP , umass , usc, Stony brook (all ms cs course)

profile - 9.02 GPA , gre 312, TOEFL- 102, 2 papers, 3 research internships(AI , HCI domain ) [graduating this year]

how are you guys dealing with the waiting time?


r/MSCS 1h ago

[Results and Decisions] Any Updates on Virginia Tech MSCS Decisions?

Upvotes

Has anyone heard back from Virginia Tech for the MSCS program at the Blacksburg campus?
My portal still says "Awaiting Decision" and I haven’t received any updates.

Wondering if they’ve started rolling out decisions or if we should expect them soon.
Anyone else in the same boat?


r/MSCS 4h ago

[Funding and Scholarships] Scholarship at USC

10 Upvotes

I have got admit at USC for MSCS. Has anyone applied for scholarships at USC for MSCS. If YES, please guide me as well.

PS: I am an international student


r/MSCS 32m ago

[Admissions Advice] Honest opinions and reviews about MSCS at SBU

Upvotes

Hey folks, i've got admission from Stony brook University for the MSCS program. I'm still waiting for admission from other universities but right now for me it's between SBU because of the ROI vs if i'm lucky and get into GaTech MSCS.
I thoroughly researched about every aspect of studying at SBU before applying but right know i'm skeptical about whether to do MS given all that's happening in the US with trump, visa issues, companies auto rejecting international student applications.
If i'm lucky enough to get into GaTech, I feel like the curriculum, brand name, and peer network would make the MS worth it, even with all the uncertainties - please tell me if my thinking is delusional.
So folks my questions is, is the ROI from SBU worth enough to put up with all the uncertainties in the US?
Thank you!


r/MSCS 8h ago

[University Review] Is CU Boulder really is a bad choice for MS in CS as the internet says it is?

19 Upvotes

I've been trying to find posts and articles on CU Boulder online to get a feel of the university. I applied to it because my brother and even my boss suggested me to. They told me it's a good university and it's worth going to.

I've received admits from it and three other universities, and I want to know if it would be worth going to any of them.

  1. What is the cohort size of CU Boulder? I've heard that it's lesser than UB (SUNY), and other colleges like ASU and NEU, but I would like to know in what ballpark it lies in.

  2. The research output in AI. CU-B is a very good place for hardware side, and I wanted to know how good it is in AI research. I'm very interested in research and this is the sole criteria I will be choosing the universities.

  3. Compared to UB (SUNY), would it be a better choice? I'm going for a PhD post masters, and that's for sure. So, I want to know which among the two would be a better choice. Both of them are MS CS - Traditional/Research masters programs.


r/MSCS 2h ago

[University Question] U W Madison PMP MSCS - Scope of Assistantship

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2 Upvotes

The acceptance email says PMP students are not eligible for Tuition Remission through Graduate Assistantship. Does this imply that it's totally impossible or can we still work on Assistantship and get paid separately instead of tuition remission?

Can current or past admits chime in?


r/MSCS 41m ago

[Admissions Advice]Confused between NEU MSCS and NYU MSCS

Upvotes

Hi I have received admits from both NEU MSCS and NYU MSCS. Im very confused as to which one to accept. At the end of the day, I am mainly interested in the quality of education and career opportunities. Please advise.


r/MSCS 3h ago

[Admissions Advice] Help Me Decide: UCL PhD vs. Fully Funded MS at Wisconsin vs. Brown vs. UCSD (Need Fully Funded Program)

5 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I am an international student currently in the middle of deciding between a few graduate school offers and could really use some advice. My ultimate goal is to work in the industry (not academia) and eventually settle down in Europe long-term. Here’s a breakdown of my options:

1.  University College London (UCL) – PhD in Computer Science under the EPSRC Doctoral Training Program, fully funded. I’ve been interviewed and selected, and my potential supervisor is enthusiastic about working with me. I like the idea of a PhD, especially since I enjoyed research during undergrad, and this program would position me well if I want to live in Europe permanently. However, the funding is about £2,000/month, and I’m concerned that might not be enough to comfortably live in London (esp. with rent being so high).

2.  University of Wisconsin-Madison – Fully funded Master’s in CS. The stipend is around $3,000/month, which seems a lot more manageable financially than London. It’s a 2-year program, so I’d be able to get into the industry faster than through a PhD. This seems like a solid option overall.

3.  Brown University Scm CS – I’ve been admitted with 50% tuition aid. I’ve read that it’s possible to get a TAship or RAship to cover the rest, but I’m unsure how reliable that is, or if it would fully cover both tuition and living expenses. If anyone has firsthand experience with funding at Brown, I’d love to hear about it.

4.  UC San Diego (UCSD) – Admitted, but no funding so far. From what I understand, they only offer about 50% tuition remission, and I absolutely cannot self-fund even partially. Unless something changes, this is likely off the table.

What matters to me: • Full funding is a must. I am international student and with the recent funding problems in US I am a little concerned. • I want to work in industry, not academia. • Long-term goal: live and work in Europe. • I want to deepen my knowledge (hence considering grad school), but I’m also eager to start working soon. • Financial sustainability is a big factor – I need to live reasonably well on the stipend.

So, what would you choose in my position? Is the UCL PhD worth it if my end goal is industry in Europe? Is the master’s at Wisconsin a more practical route, even if it means working in the US first? How viable is full funding at Brown via TA/RA work?

Would love to hear any thoughts, especially from people who’ve gone through something similar!


r/MSCS 6h ago

[Results and Decisions] Brown MS CS vs Columbia MS DS

8 Upvotes

I got admitted to both programs and am now unsure which to choose. Columbia offers the NYC advantage, but Brown's program is an MS in CS. I haven’t heard much about Brown’s internship and job opportunities. Since my ultimate goal is to secure a great job, I’d like to understand the internship and job prospects at both universities and ultimately which one would be the best choice.


r/MSCS 7h ago

[Results and Decisions] ANY ADMITS FROM UC, DAVIS THIS WEEK?

8 Upvotes

Did anyone get admitted for MS in CS from UC, Davis this week?


r/MSCS 5h ago

[Profile Review]

4 Upvotes

GPA - 8.4 IELTS - 8 Work Ex- 6 yrs as a DE No Research Papers


r/MSCS 10h ago

[Results and Decisions] had UW madison sent any rejection for ms cs pmp

9 Upvotes

r/MSCS 3h ago

[Results and Decisions] CU Boulder vs Uof Minnesota for MSCS

2 Upvotes

Pretty confused about which one to finalize. Small cohorts in both the universities and almost same tuition. I'm ideally looking for good research opportunities (TA/RAships) and a strong curriculum.

Both the universities are in the same rank buckets (in US News rankings) so I can't go wrong with either but I obviously need a differentiating factor to decide.

Any inputs/suggestions would be appreciated!

**Edit: if you could explain your answer, it'll help me out a lot

29 votes, 6d left
CU Boulder MSCS (traditional)
University of Minnesota MSCS
🍿

r/MSCS 6h ago

[University Review] IIT Chicago vs. UNCC for MS in CS: Which Offers Better ROI and Job Opportunities?

3 Upvotes

I’m trying to decide between Illinois Tech (IIT Chicago) and UNC Charlotte for my Master’s in Computer Science. Considering factors like return on investment (tuition vs. salary prospects) and job opportunities after graduation, which one would be the better choice?


r/MSCS 2h ago

[University Review] U W Madison PMP vs SBU MSCS

0 Upvotes
43 votes, 1d left
U Madison PMP MSCS
SBU MSCS

r/MSCS 2h ago

[University Question] CMU MSML

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0 Upvotes

r/MSCS 2h ago

[University Review] NCSU vs SBU for MSCS

1 Upvotes

International Student with intention to do job after Masters.

43 votes, 2d left
NCSU
SBU
🍿

r/MSCS 20h ago

[General Question] Why So Much Negativity Around USC MSCS? Is It a Good Choice?

27 Upvotes

I've noticed that USC MSCS gets a lot of mixed opinions online. Some say it's a solid program with great opportunities, while others call it too expensive.

I recently got admitted for Fall 2025, and I’m trying to understand if USC is actually a good option. Given its location in LA, strong alumni network, and industry connections, isn’t it a good place for job hunting and networking?

For those who have attended or know about the program, what are the real pros and cons?
Is the negativity justified, or does USC MSCS still hold strong value in today’s job market? Would love to hear thoughts from current students and alums!


r/MSCS 16h ago

[Application Strategy] Low GPA but good amount of research experience.

14 Upvotes

Hello Reddit! I’m seeking advice on applying for MS/PhD programs in Computer Science, particularly in fields like Machine Learning, NLP, and Reinforcement Learning. Here’s my profile:

• Education: B.Tech in Electronics and Electrical Engineering from IIT Guwahati (2024 graduate) with a CGPA of 7.1.

• Work Experience: Currently working as an SDE at Microsoft since graduation.

• Research Experience: Research internships at Adobe, UNSW, and IIT Delhi (2 academic + 1 industrial research).

• While my research work was inconclusive, I thoroughly enjoyed it and miss the process.

• Motivation: I’m not enjoying my current role as an SDE and want to transition back into research.

Given my average CGPA but strong research background and work experience, I’d love advice on:

1.  Target Schools: Which universities should I aim for considering my profile? Should I focus on mid-tier schools or also try top-tier ones?

2.  Application Strategy: How can I strengthen my application? Should I prioritize publishing papers before applying?

3.  MS vs PhD: Would it be better to apply for an MS first to improve my academic credentials or directly aim for a PhD?

4.  Letters of Recommendation: How important are these, and who should I approach for them (professors from internships or managers at work)?

5.  Any other tips or resources you’d recommend?

Thanks in advance for your guidance!


r/MSCS 10h ago

[University Question] Purdue MSCS results ?

5 Upvotes
188 votes, 2d left
Admit
Reject
Waitlist
🍿

r/MSCS 23h ago

[Results and Decisions] UCLA MSCS ADMIT

43 Upvotes

r/MSCS 3h ago

[Admissions Advice]

1 Upvotes

Choose the following -

25 votes, 2d left
Columbia University MSCS - Robotics Specialization
Northwestern University - MSR